Cambodia

History

The French ruled Cambodia between 1863 and 1953. Sihanouk became the king in 1941. The Japanese occupied the country in the years thereafter. Cambodia received independence from France in 1953. The country experienced a series of unstable rule until 1991 when it signed a peace agreement in Paris to share administration of power. Sihanouk was the head of state.

Food/ culture

Cambodian culture is promoted and developed by the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. It is influenced by Theravada Buddhism, Angkorian culture and the French colonialization.

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. The major crop grown is rice; other common crops include corn, cassava, soybeans, coconuts, bananas, oranges and sugarcane. The staple food is rice. Fish is also common as fishing is a major activity at Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.

Wildlife

The animal species in Bhutan include dholes, elephants, deer, bears, panthers, Monocellate cobra and tigers.

Annual events/ celebrations/ festivals

The most attended national festival is the annual boat rowing contest. Other festivals include Khmer New Year celebrated on 13/14^th April that symbolizes the end of the harvest season, Water Festival and Royal Ploughing Ceremony.

Things to see

Cambodia best tourist attraction sites are Angkor Wat, which is the largest temple; it’s also the country’s national symbol.

Phnom Penh has the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the country’s National Museum which showcases the artefacts of the different cultures in the country.

Other sites include Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom and Banteay Srei.

Interesting facts

Cambodia official language is Khmer.

The country’s largest industries are textile and tourism.

The official religion is Buddhism.

The education system comprises of general education that is divided into six years of primary education and six years of secondary education. The most popular sports are martial arts, football and sepak takraw.

Borders

It is bordered on the northwest by Thailand, on the northeast by Laos, on the east by Vietnam and the southwest by the Gulf of Thailand.